The Odyssey of Homer


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(Sure fate of every mortal excellence!)  
Farewell! and joys successive ever spring  
To thee, to thine, the people, and the king!"  
Thus he: then parting prints the sandy shore  
To the fair port: a herald march'd before,  
Sent by Alcinous; of Arete's train  
Three chosen maids attend him to the main;  
This does a tunic and white vest convey,  
A various casket that, of rich inlay,  
And bread and wine the third. The cheerful mates  
Safe in the hollow poop dispose the cates;  
Upon the deck soft painted robes they spread  
With linen cover'd, for the hero's bed.  
He climbed the lofty stern; then gently press'd  
The swelling couch, and lay composed to rest.  
Now placed in order, the Phaeacian train  
Their cables loose, and launch into the main;  
At once they bend, and strike their equal oars,  
And leave the sinking hills and lessening shores.  
While on the deck the chief in silence lies,  
And pleasing slumbers steal upon his eyes.  
As fiery coursers in the rapid race  
Urged by fierce drivers through the dusty space,  
Toss their high heads, and scour along the plain,  
331  


Page
329 330 331 332 333

Quick Jump
1 153 306 459 612